Artist’s Statement

As long as I can remember fabrics, threads, yarns, needles, and things associated with needlework have been in my life. From my Big Mama Early Lee Steward, my grandmother Malissie Williams and my great-grandmother Rebecca Stokes, I learned quilt by just being near them. From my mother Alverean Williams I learned her rhythm of coordinating colors and buying great fabrics.

I love color, texture and the way that some fabrics iron. I didn’t begin quilting until August of 1997 after spending the afternoon at the quilting and linens table at a church Flea-Market sale. I came home and saw my first quilt show and then I saw the book “A Communion of The Spirits” by Roland Freeman and I remembered my Big Mama, granny, and grandmother Malissie quilting for necessity and the fellowship.

All of my life I have sewn but after seeing these things I knew immediately that I was born to quilt and to create my works of art through fabric and fibers. It was made clear why I couldn’t let go of pieces of fabrics or why I mixed different types of fabrics when creating garments. There is a peace, a comfort and a therapeutic release in quilting that encourages and comforts me .It is my honored duty to share this art format with all that enjoy doing and collecting the wonderful stories in cloth/fibers.

Trish Williams